Last Stand

[-Guardian]

Jack looked at Lilly, then walked over to Leopold. "What did I walk into here? I sense some bad blood between you and her." Said Jack. Jack looked at lilly then back at Leopold "Anyways, the reason I'm here is I need a mentor, see I'm new to Dark Forest and I don't have a clue where or what the hell is going on." Announced Jack.

[siege_45]

Adrian sat alone with the stables nodding his head after a few caws from the raven above him a sign of interest crossing his lips when he heard of the past battles and mainly when he heard about Marcus the leader of the wolves siding with the demons. “why would the once proud leader side with the demons… it makes little sense… none the less why would he let his people be slaughtered in this pointless war that had nothing to do with them in the beginning… yeah I know that it looks like I am talking to myself but then people might leave me to my thoughts,” said Adrian aloud responding to the raven’s caws every once and awhile his head tilted abit so his ear was facing the bird’s position. He then stood up and walked out of the stables and towards the courtyard muttering stuff to himself.

“Hmm maybe even the wolves are just pawns… not willing ones… just required to obey or die knowing they couldn’t turn to the humans for assistance and the undead would be a definite no… so they had no choice but to listen to the demon lords…”said Adrian aloud as he walked to the center of the courtyard coming to a stop when he bumped into a random man knocking him back. Adrian looked in his direction and bowed his apologies before walking off again.

“So if we can talk to Marcus and make some sort of deal we may have another ally… but that is only if my guess is right,” said Adrian before he bumped into Lily and then stopped and looked in her general direction. “My apologies madam I have been lost in thought thinking of wolves,” said Adrian quietly as he bowed before the female general. He was talking aloud through most of his walk through the courtyard allowing almost anyone who was listening to hear what he was discussing with himself.

[-Ezekiel]

OOC: Guardian, our characters haven't met, you need to introduce yourself.
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Chuckling to himself, Leopold finished shaving and used the water from the barrel to clean his red cloak, his control over water alchemy was outstanding as he cleaned his cloak without getting himself wet, it was dry beofre a person could blink. "I won't bother cleaning my body, my big sexy body, all covered in tattoos" said Leopold hugging himself as he spoke. "Mum always said, have a clean face when you go out Leopold, who knows, you might get lucky and be kidnapped, then I won't have to deal with you"

Turning to the new comer, Leopold flashed him a smile before looking at the dwarf carefully. "Nah, I'm Leopold Crowley by the way, what was your name?" said Leopold loudly as he held out his hand to the dwarf. "We're off to find a dead vampire's library if you care to tag along. There's be some fights, some laughs and if we're lucky we can find a gem that sparkles of raw power"

Valenus watched as the militia and the undead worked together, he wasn't sure if the relationship would last, but with hope the group going to Necronus would have some luck. "Oh dear, what am I to do?"

[-Guardian]

.:- OOC: Ok. -:.

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Jack looks in the distance and sees two figures walking about, one seemed to be a woman; a cute one at that, and the other was a large man. Jack ran towards their position. He ran over the the woman and bowed. "To who do I owe to be in the presence on such beauty" Said Jack. He totally forgot about the man, Jack was to busy distracted.

Jack looked over and froze, he quickly remembered a man was there also. He reluclantly walked over. "Hello kind sir! My name is Jack Russell of the South who might you be?" Announced Jack

[-Destinysend]

Lilly was at a loss here, even the stray person bumping into her didn't make her come to her senses. First the pirate is raving about how its cold in the arctic and she looked under dressed. Followed immediately by the thought she'd freeze off some rather delicate parts of her body. Then after offering to find her more suitable clothing he's raving about his own body. After having gone through just about every shade of red known to mankind, and some not, Lilly's body apparently had given up on being embarrassed. "Tattoos?" she fairly squeaked out, quite unusual for herself to be taken aback and off guard. Perhaps she'd just go find Valenus, he seemed more... sociable then the made pirate. Also was less likely to make her turn twenty shades of red and threaten to pass out from weird thoughts.

[-Guardian]

Jack looked at Lilly. She spoke!. Jack held up a finger at Leopold and ran to Lilly. "Hello your ladyship, what might you be doing here? I heard you talking about going to the South, you're quite underdressed for that climate. Might I sugguest you wear my tunic its quite warm." Said Jack. Jack was dumbstuck by her beauty she was like a angel.

[-Ezekiel]

"Of course I've got tattoos, here see" said Leopold shrugging off his cloack and exposing his bare arms, an image of a raven in flight adorned his left arm while the words Kismet and We who are about to die salute you written in elvish and orcish were across his right bicep. "See, and I've got more" said Leopold as he followed Lilly toward Valenus.

The older vampire watched as the young girl was assualted by the image of Leopold, shaking his head, Valenus tried not to think about what the girl was thinking. Leopold was rumoured to have sired half the guards in Galam at one point, his reputation as a pervert was even greater. "Leopold, leave her alone or I'll tell her the story of when you're mother hit you across the arse with a hot frying pan when you were fifteen."

[siege_45]

Adrian shrugged when the girl ignored him and then flinched slightly when a sudden chill ran down his spine and a heavy weight landed on his shoulder. He reached up with one hand and gently rubbed the feathered head of the bird who landed on his shoulder and smiled gently as he walked past Lily and Leopold his mind still somewhere else. “… But I can’t do anything at the moment I need to get information on the demons… maybe Atrox can do something.. or knows someone who can lend some assistance in this matter,” said Adrian quietly this time as he stopped infront of the dark portal Darius had the lich open and stood there facing to the right of it.

“Bird go to Atrox inform him that we need someone to speak to Marcus the leader of the wolves… also inform him more about the man so he doesn’t mess up if he is the one going to negotiate… Tell him about the fact Marcus may switch sides if he is given the option and that the demons probably forced him..”Adrian asked as he turned his head so his eyes were on the bird, who cawed once in response and then leapt of Adrian’s shoulder and flew of out of the fortress and then after it was out of sight vanished in a puff of smoke.

The Adrian turned and looked towards the portal and sighed quietly as he walked towards it. “… now what to do where should I begin my search… the bird did mention a few bo….”said Adrian cut off when he stepped through the portal his eyes unable to tell him that he was walking towards it. Then there was silence Adrian gone without a trace.

[-Bane Marvon]

Carana and Bane walked, swiftly across the stone ground of Guardians Fortress. They were deep in conversation and anyone who would have seen them would think they were discussing the demon lords easy win, they would have guessed right. Bane agreed with Carana that they had one to easily, having lost the demon gate and a fair chunk of the army but to easily anyways, "They won to easily, Carana. I watched the battle from a distance on my horse, you saw me once but then you were battling Atrox and his cronies. Yes i know of Atrox the Abyssal Knight, he is a brute but has a softer side which came out when he told them not to kill you. You fight well, nearly as good as me-"

Carana interjected Bane, "Yes i agree they won to easily but they had a lot of causalities, not as many as us but i managed to get around 60 down. I am a better fighter than you Bane, i have had much more experience than you. I have been around for over 500 years and you are only 19, exceptionally skilled with both weapon and magic. You just need to grow up, youth comes with a better body, but with an arrogant mind." said Carana as she unsheathed her sword, digging it into the stones as a support.

She turned a corner and saw a 2 men, a dwarf and a lady deep in discussion. The dwarf commented on the ladies beauty, the lady then looked at one of the two men and started shrieking "Tattoos?" The man peeled up his arm to show a raven in flight with the elven words Kismet and We who are about to die salute you written in the elvish tongue. Carana knew this too well but Bane was dumbstruck at the words. Carana and Bane walked along the corridor and then looked at one of the men, Bane looked at Carana and she knew what he was saying in his mind. "Which one of you is Valenus? We have come to fight and maybe join a quest of some sorts" said Carana as she leaned on her sword, causing it to dig into the stones.

[-Destinysend]

Lilly turned from Leopold, practically screaming random things in her head to drown out the pirate. When a tunic was offered her, she didn't bother following the voice toward its owner, she waved it off muttering something about raving pirates and shirtless madmen. The sensible voice of the vampiric commander stopped her from her blushing war with herself. "Oh, Valenus. What do you think.." she turned another shade of red as she placed her hands on her hips, opening her cloak enough to see what she wore. "Fit for travel through Necronus?" For some reason she felt like a slab of meat at the market, setup for display and purchase. If one also watched closely her right eye seemed to twitch a fraction of a centimeter now and then as the pirate alchemist attempted to show off his tattoos. It didn't help it looked like she was attempting to display herself, and as such she let her arms drop to allow her cloak to close itself.. mostly. "How are the Necronus lands by the way, I've never been south enough and all the land tells me from here is that its dead. It reeks of death and decay, of arctic chill and ichor." she shuddered at her own inner thoughts about the place.

[-Guardian]

Jack looked at Leopold. He thought to himself this man is a total nutcase so is that vampire. Jack didn't know what came over him but the words just flew out. "Hey you! Give this woman some respect she is not a mere sexual symbol. You are nothing but a bonified pervert!" Yelled Jack. He swallowed hard then looked at Lilly and smiled but looked back at Leopold. "Your Ladyship may I ask why you are with this pirate? I'm sure he's a dickless wonder as he said, how else would he know what those are?"

[-Darshe]

Darshia's wings were about ready to give out he'd been flying way too long. He'd managed to heal his injuries aquired from the gargoyles back at the battle but not quite completely. He was relieved when a fort came into sight. Somehow he'd managed to avoid being followed, But his luck wouldn't hold it seemed as he flew over the fort archers mistook him for a demon scout. Which wasn't surprising at first glance he obviously wasn't human and he had flown from the direction of the demon army.

"Shoot that thing down!" He heard.

"Huh?...W--WAIT NO I'M NOT-!" He yelled down as arrows pierced his wings. He fell almost face first and just barely managed to form a small energy ball to break through the roofing choosing NOT to land on hard unforgiving stone and instead falling through his newly made hole through a wooden floor and finally down onto a table....co-incidently directly between lilly and jack. "--a damn demon...." He finished his earlier line with a groan. "That's pain..." His eyes wandered and he noticed there were actually people around. "Oh...hi there I'm not interrupting am I?....don't mind me I'm just gonna....lay here..in AGONIZING PAIN....but it's nice to know people do exist in this world." he said softly as his amber eyes gazed up at the ceiling. He couldn't have gotten up if he wanted to the arrows in his wings had stuck into the table when he'd fallen and were currently pinning him there.

[-Guardian]

Jack jumped back. He looked at the tattered Darshia, "Whoa what happened to you?" Jack noticed the blood seeping out of his wings, He reched in his bag and pulled out a two spare shirt and a dwarf potion. "Ok well this is gonna sting but It'll stop the bleeding and agonizing pain." Jack knelt down pulled out many arrows and treated the wings with ease. Jack had never seen someone with wings before, was he an angel shot down? He took a look at Darshia's wings they were delicate and soft. Jack stood up and reached out a hand. "You should be ok for now. You hungry?" Jack looked over at lilly. "How about you?". Jack looks at the sun's position. Crap I gotta go he thinks to himself. "Well guys I'm actully gotta cut it short I need to get to the dwarf city. Been nice seeing you guys"

Jack Has Left

[-Ezekiel]

Valenus looked at Lilly as she burned with embrassment, he could help but chuckle as she asked his opinion. Turning away Valenus walked to a pack of clothing the undead had brought with them. Pulling out a set of black and white tunic's Valenus tossed them at Lilly. "You don't want your tits to freeze." Laughing with Leopold Valenus stepped closer to the girl and smiled.

"It might look like we're making fun of you, but Necronus is close to Damaris Peak, both places are frozen hell holes to you living. Vampire hunters try and live there, they come back, pieces of their bodies fallen off from the cold. Bear skin like that the dwarf gave you won't keep you warm, those clothes are made for the cold, even we undead have to keep ourselves warm."

"See," said Leopold as he picked up his cloak and put it back on "and you thought I was just being a pervert" "You are a pervert Leopold" "Shut up Valenus or I'll turn your armour into an iron maiden" "I have no doubts you could do that, but shouldn't you two be going to Necronus? Darius won't wait forever, the library of Ezekiel is guarded by enemies a warrior like him would love to fight. Besides, we don't know who else is hunting information about the demons and the gems they hold"

Muttering darkly to himself, Leopold looked at the portal he was about to jump into, looking over his shoulder at Lilly Leopold said "Memo to self, don't use alchemy whilst in a magical portal. See you on the other side kiddo" With that Leopold ran at the portal, diving head first, Leopold disappeared in a flash of light.

"He's quite mad" said Valenus as he looked at the woman who addressed him. "Yes? Oh well, some are going to Necronus and some are staying here, what you do is up to you." Valenus didn't wish to reveal too much to these two, he didn't know them and they didn't know him.

[-Bane Marvon]

Carana looked at Valenus straight in the eye, she knew he was withholding information from her and she would congratulate him on normal circumstances, but the demons were coming, and secrets were forbidden. "I know you are withholding information from me, Valenus. On normal circumstances i would congratulate you, but the demons are coming and secrets are not welcome. Please, tell me everything. I shall stay here and fight alongside you but i need information in order to know the truth," said Carana "I am Carana Adari by the way. This here," she motioned to Bane who gave a heart wave "Is Bane Marvon. I fought the demons at Domus Valenus, i lost a very good friend there so i demand you give me information at once."

Leaning on her sword it gave a lurch and it suddenly flicked out of the stone, it hit Bane in the leg but he jumped up quickly. It had left a small cut, nothing that Carana could not fix. She apologized to him without words but with her eyes, she then silently turned and looked out of a window. Domus was a horrible battle, so many people had been lost. The demons who had killed would be here soon and Carana would fight them till the death. Bane leaned over to Carana, "That was rather, direct. To the point i must say" laughed Bane.
"This is serious Bane. I lost my companion in Domus, i want these fucking demon dead. I wont stop until every last one of them lies on the ground, dead. Even the cursed Demon Lords, them too." whispered Carana to Bane.
"Don't be so abrupt with Valenus though, he is on our side-"
"I was being abrupt so i could get information, which he should give us soon," turning around she looked at Valenus again "Sorry for before, i just want information."

[-Destinysend]

Lilly nodded, still slightly flushed, and shifted a little as she tugged on the tunics over her current wear. She'd remove the other gear later when not under time constraints and people nearby. "I trust you to hold the fort while we're gone Valenus, if the militia gives you trouble knock a few heads around- just don't kill them." She gave a smile to the vampire commander, one that wasn't forced, apparently there could be a place in the natural cycle for those who remained tethered here. With a grin stuck on her face like none she ever had before, she took off after the mad alchemist, and taking a leaf from his book charged at the portal. With a final leap and a cut-off giggle she popped through the portal with a bit more grace then the pirate before her, the sent of dawn lingering where she had been.


OOC: a hunting we will go... a hunting we will go... party time!

[-Ezekiel]

"Demand all you want child, I do not give information to fools and wretches who try to demand things from me. I am here to protect my men and the mortals of this fort, either you keep quiet and find someone else with a looser tongue, I doubt you will as he just threw himself into a portal" said Valenus as he turned on the boy and girl and walked toward his men, some of which were laughing at sometihng just outside the walls. "What's so funny?" "look"

Valenus stepped out side the wall to see a huge shovel slowly digging a moat around the fortress, a cow had just gotten near the hole and was chased off by the shovel as it brandished it's self at the cow. "Bloodly Leopold"

[-Darshe]

Darshia sat up grumbling something about "ignorant archers"

He put his wings back behind him. ''Thanks kid.'' He said quickly he stretched and a 'crackling' could be heard as his bones pop'ed back into the proper places though it hurt like a bitch he didn't cry out and fortunately nothing was broken just dislocated. He observed the quick exchange among the others obviously they knew each other.

"Gah...everyones moving again damnit SOMEONES GOTTA TELL ME WHATS GOING ON AROUND HERE." He yelled as he dragged himself through the portal following the others.

He'd just have to worry about recovering fully later. Besides he didn't want to still be hanging around when the idiots who shot him came looking for him.

[-Bane Marvon]

Bane laughed at the man's comment, seeing as Leopold, or so Valenus had called him had stepped through the portal just before. A women stepped through the portal with a certain grace, Bane thought there was a trail of mystery that was left behind her. Bane looked around and saw that Valenus had looked outside the wall. "Told you Carana, don't go demanding stuff out of Valenus. He will just shoot it back at you," said Bane as he looked at Valenus. "Um, Valenus. We are going to stay and fight, sorry for my friends rudeness," he glared at Carana "She just wants to help. We can fight good, would you let us protect the Fort from the demons of hell?"

Carana shifted slightly as she saw Bane glare at her, she poked her tongue out at him as a sign of rudeness and he turned away to look at Valenus. Valenus... what a noble, heroic sounding name. Valenus the Brave, Valenus the Snapper. Carana laughed at this and then looked at Valenus, "Yes all that he said and that i am over 500 years old too," she added with a smile "He is just a mere young ling, only 18 years old, but he saved my life so if you let him fight so will I, just as a favor Bane." laughed Carana. Valenus sounded like a good man, strong and compassionate. A bit of a brute but a funny bloke all the less. Carana grinned at the man, her mind racing.

[-Guardian]

.:- OOC: Reintroduction -:.

Jack walked along the brick road to find a fort. He looked around no one was insight. He walked to the gate door. It towered two stories high. Jack banged on the gigantic door. "WHO GOES THERE!" Yelled a guard as he peeked over the edge. "Only a traveling Alchemist by the name of Jack Russell" Yelled back Jack. "WHERE ARE YOU HEADING" Yelled the guard. "North to find a place to settle" Yelled back Jack. "Fine! You may pass." Said the guard. The gigantic doors opened an so did another set on the other side revealing a tunnel to the other side. Jack walked through. He kept walking on the path towards a clearing he squinted and saw some people. "Hey! I'm not alone" Jack said to himself. He kept walking when and approached the people cautiously, they didn't see him approaching. He walked up and observed a large man and a woman talking. He didn't want to be rude so he just turned the other way and sat down quietly. He pulled out a dwarven snack from his bag and munched away as if the people weren't there.

[RealmKnight]

Caranor ignored Axinhed's remark as he went over to his daughter as she eyed up the diverse range of arrows. "Sweetie, I don't think you're ready for that Grand Bolt... it's a very large arrow, so it's heavy and you can't carry many with you. Also, it has special effects you need to be very careful with." Caranor picked up the arrow in his strong, slender hand and pointed to a training target at the end of the armoury. They walked over to the bullseys-style target and Caranor took Caranestel's bow.

It was far too small for such a tall man to fire such a large bolt with, but it'd do the trick for the demonstration. "Watch closely, honey. The arrow can fire a beam that paralyses what it hits - it can be very useful, but you need to be very careful not to set it off accidentally." As Caranor drew the arrow back, he squeezed a pair of small triggers at the back of the arrow. A flash of light filled the room for a short moment before a small blast fired from the arrow's tip into the target.

"The target hasn't been hurt at all, but if it was a person, or monster, it would now be unable to move - Making it very easy for you to hit it with the arrow, except..." Caranor released the bowstring, and the arrow was flung into the target, striking several rings below the bullseye. "The grand bolt is a large, heavy arrow, and will fall at a faster rate than a normal one. You need to keep this in mind when you fire it" Caranor handed the bow back to Caranestel and asked "Are you sure you want them?"

Caranestel nodded - despite the difficulties inherent in this weapon, she seemed confident in her ability to use it. "I can do it, daddy. I've been practising for ages and I'm really good now." She smiled and took the arrow from the target, took a few steps back and drew the arrow into her bow. It seemed her elven blood hadn't gone to waste when she had turned undead, as the arrow hit remarkably close to the mark.

Caranor sighed. What was it about this girl that made her seem to crave danger? She had too much of her father in her, probably. "Axinhed, we will be taking a quivver of Grand Bolts too." the dwarven smith grinned a beardy grin and replied with his usual sarcastic wit "Go ahead, me lad - you and the lass can 'ave the whole smithy if ye'd like." As they left the armoury, Caranestel giggled at the man's accent, which seemed to put a damper on his attempts to joke with them for now.

***

After taking a rest, the pair were getting ready for their expedition. "Daddy, should I wear my short robe or the long one?" Caranor, in the middle of putting on his newly refurbished armour over some thermal gear, replied "Both. I overheard Leopold talkiung about how Necromnus is cold enough to freeze someone's... uh... well, it is very cold and you'll need a lot of clothing, honey." Caranor slipped on his cloaked shoulder guards, remarkably well crafted given the alotted time.

"Here, let me help you with that..." Caranor helped pull his daughter's second robe on over her first. They weren't designed to be worn at the same time, but the short robe over the long one should give her the warmth she needed. "It's kinda tight, daddy..." "I know, sweetie, but it's better than you turning into a little snowball out there. Look at everything I have to wear..." Caranor showed off all the heavy armour he was wearing to his awestruck daughter.

"Your armour must be real heavy. You must be really strong, daddy..." Caranor lifted Caranestel's chain-mail shirt, or dress depending on how you interpreted it's size on her, over her head. "I'm... really... really... strong" Caranor said as his daughter slipped into her armour. "Now, your helmet and gloves..." They strapped the oversized gloves to the girl's hands and slapped the helmet on her head. Caranor knocked gently on the helmet and said "Nothing's gonna get through that", before his daughter copied him by tapping on his helm and nodding.

Caranor finally tied the halberd over his back, blade down, as Caranestel slung her bow over her back and tied her quivver around her waist. Caranor asked Caranestel "Do you want to see how really really strong I am?" She giggled and put out her arms, so he could lift her onto his back to give her a piggy-back ride. "I'm...so...strong...that...even...with...our...armour...I...can...still...carry...you..." Caranor said between puffs as they made their way outside.

"Wark!" The chocobo called as the pair arrived at the stable. Caranor placed the girl on the bird, before hopping up himself. "Hwestanar, we go through the portal to Necronus." Caranor ordered as they started out. Caranestel wondered if Hwestanar's feathers would be enough to keep him warm, but that would be revealed soon as they slipped through the portal into the land of the dead.

[-Guardian]

Jack got up and looked around the fort. IT WAS HUGE! The walls were far apart and the place had a fierce military appeal to it which Jack loved. Jack walked for fifteen minutes on the rock path to the northern west tower. He climbed the stairs and looked over the into the distance it was beautiful, Jack could see many encampments and villages in the distance. "YOU! WHO ARE YOU!" Jack heard from behind him. Jack turned. "I'm Jack Russell of the South, Alchemist and Offensive Mage." Replied Jack. He noticed an extravagantly dressed knight. Jack thought this isn't your run of the mill guard. "STATE YOUR BUSNIUESS" Said the Knight. "I have come looking for a place to settle, might you be of some defensive assistance to boost your garrison?" Said Jack. The Knight smiled "Oh, my name is Sir Gawain The Brave, heavy guardsman at this fort." Said Sir Gawain. He extended a hand. Jack accepted and shook his hand. "Might you have a place for me sleep for a few weeks?" Said Jack. Sir Gawain Nodded. "Follow me" He replied.


Sir Gawain led Jack down the stairs and under to a hall of doors. "We're on a shortage of troops here so your welcome to stay as long as you'd like." Said Sir Gawain. "Ah. Well thank-you Sir Gawain, buth which room is mine?" Replied Jack. Sir Gawain let out a chuckle. "Take your pick. Oh and you'll find a uniform in your closet." Said Sir Gawain. He turned and marched away. Jack went into the closest room and immediately changed into his new uniform. He was now a member of the garrison how awesome is that!?. Jack went to sleep on his canopy bed and went out like a light. He was beat.


EDIT: Jack Russell and The Ghost Brigade packed up their things and headed out. He and his brigage thanked Sir Gawain for his hospitality.

Jack Russell & The Ghost Brigade Has Left